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Pua Mission Trip -- Feb 2017

A group of six GBC members, comprising five regular members and newcomer Sherri Buntain, headed to Pua, Thailand, to conduct the quarterly English Camp at Kathy's Home from 24-27 Feb 2017. Read the trip report to find out more.

Travel

We thank God for the smooth, uneventful flights to Pua. For the return trip, Beh had to return to Singapore on Saturday evening while Kim Song took the Sunday night coach to Bangkok for his flight to Singapore The rest of the team took the morning taxi to Nan to catch the return flights to Bangkok for transit to Singapore.

Pua Feb 17 1a
The GBC Team at Don Mueang Airport, Bangkok, enroute to Pua for the quarterly English Camp. (L-R): Ngaim Siew Kim, Tan Kim Song, Kiew Won Lee, June Kiew, Beh Soo Hee and Sherri Buntain

Newcomer

We are glad to have Sherri join us for her first mission trip with GBC and had a great time in fellowship and sharing with her. Sherri went with Mak and two other couples to visit the village church for Sunday worship and experienced Hmong hospitality and food.

Pua Feb 17 5Sherri bonding well with her students despite teaching them for the first time.

Morning Devotion and Sermon

Pua Feb 17 8Siew Kim led the Saturday morning devotion on Acts 3 on the miraculous healing of the lame beggar by Peter, to remind us to be mindful of the small miracles in our daily lives. Sunday devotion by Won Lee was Jer 29: 11-13, these verses were inspired by the student who had inscribed Jer 29:11 on her mug during the December Camp’s mug painting class.

The Sunday message was given by Kim Song from Mark 9, the story of a desperate father who came to Jesus to cure his possessed son. Jesus’ response to the father’s plea was, “Everything is possible for one who believes.”. and the father pleaded, “Help me overcome my unbelief”. Kim Song recounted a recent reunion with his former students where one of the them reminded and asked when Kim Song intends to realize his dream of being a busker to strum his guitar and sing along Orchard Road and eventually become famous. Kim Song replied that he no longer had this dream to become rich and famous as he has decided to serve Jesus, rather than himself. His message for Sombat, the sole Grade 12 student, and the Grade 11 students who will be leaving Kathy's Home for university and work is to have faith, prayers and memorisation of Bible verses to overcome doubts and unbelief. He closed his sermon with the confession that he can’t play the guitar or sing (very well) to the laughter of the children.

The English Camp

Since we arrived late afternoon on Friday, we started the first session on Friday evening, albeit a short one, followed by three sessions on Saturday and two sessions on Sunday. A new teaching curriculum using more localised names and contexts was introduced for the older students. Sombat, who will be graduating this year, also helped out with some of the classes and we are very grateful for that. 

Pua Feb 17 3

It has become a tradition to bring Kathy Home’s final-year students out for a nice dinner at the end of the academic year. Here's our only final-year student this year – Sombat – receiving all the attention at Pua Pirom Restaurant. He has been staying at KH since he was five!

Pua Feb 17 7

Nutcha proudly showing off her masterpiece in between lessons during the English Camp.

House Parents

Kathy’s Home has been without house parents for quite some time. Mak’s sons and daughter have been acting as relief house parents in between jobs. We have been praying for suitable parents for quite time. Recently Mak has identified a suitable couple who met the criteria of house parents and we continued to pray that this couple will accept the position.

Namtoang Children in Kathy's Home

Namtoang village, situated in a remote area, is a poorer and less accessible than the other Hmong villages. We are amazed by the transformation of the current batch of children from Namtoang as many of them came from trying family circumstances. They are a joy to teach, being keen and motivated to learn English. They testify to the heart of this mission – changing lives through learning and living the Word of God in a safe and loving environment.

Pua Feb 17 6June Kiew enjoying the moment with some lovable kids from her class at the conclusion of the camp.

We give thanks to our Lord for:

  • His miracles and His enabling – both big and small;
  • smooth journeys throughout, it is not something that we take for granted;
  • the couple whom Mak and Narola has identified as suitable to be house parents to the children, praying that they will accept the position;
  • the Sanglir family for their faithfulness and love for the children;
  • the children :)
  • Siew Kim’s lovely photos of the children and the trip, do check out Kathy's Home facebook page for more photos :)

Please pray:

  • that we will continue to trust in His ways and to seek Him with all our heart to overcome our doubts and unbelief;
  • for the children who are experiencing difficulties back home, that God will draw them and their families to His love;
  • for the students who will be leaving Kathy’s Home to attend universities, that they will stay focused on the Lord and live a life that will bring glory to His name; and
  • for Beacon Hall – as they prepare to take in college students this coming new school year in Chiang Mai.

Next Trip:
The dates for the quarterly mission trips to Pua are scheduled as follows:

  • 26-29 May 2017
  • 1 - 4 Sept 2017
  • 1 - 4 Dec 2017
  • 2 - 5 Feb 2018

Contact Kiew Won Lee to find out more.

Pua Feb 17 4Won Lee (right) with Kuakoon, Yaowapa and Witchayada. Won Lee currently leads the quarterly mission trips to Pua.